And they were little more than children who with the king's army came, And they took them as pledge in a corn-field, who thought there to win them fame, And he who had ne'er won token of love from a lady fair, 315 Might never more costly raiment on his youthful body bear; Of Meljanz the venture telleth that in harness bright he rode, On high flamed his youthful courage--A charger the king bestrode That Meljakanz won when in jousting his foe from his steed he swung, 'Twas Kay, and so high he smote him that aloft from a bough he hung; 320 There Meljakanz won the charger that Meljanz would ride that day, And foremost of all the heroes he strove in the knightly fray. And Obie beheld his jousting, and watched him with eager eye, As she stood there among her maidens, and gazed from the palace high. So quoth she unto her sister, 'See, sister mine, thy knight 325 And _mine_, unlike do they bear them, for thine hath no will to fight, He thinketh for sure this city and castle we needs must lose. An here we would seek defenders, other champion we needs must choose!' And the younger must bear her mocking--then she spake, 'Yet I trust my knight, He hath time yet to show his courage, and thy mockery put to flight. 330 For here shall he do me service, and his gladness shall be my care, An thou holdest him for a merchant, with me shall he trade full fair!' As with words they strove, the maidens, he hearkened, the Knight Gawain, Yet he made as tho' he heard not as he sat on the grassy plain. And if knightly soul should hearken, nor feel in the hearing shame, 335 'Twould but be that death had freed him from burden of praise or blame. Now still lay the mighty army that Poidikonjonz had led, Save one gallant youth with his vassals, who swift to the combat sped, And Lanveronz was his dukedom--Here came Poidikonjonz the king, And the old man wise one and other again to the camp would bring, 340 For the vesper-play was ended--In sooth had they fought right well, And for love of many a maiden full many a deed befell.